During FY10, the USG saw significant growth in student enrollment; and a simultaneous decline in state appropriations. Both are related, as the slow economic recovery dampened state tax revenues and in-part encouraged individuals to return to college for additional education.

Despite the budgetary challenges, the Board of Regents and the System’s institutions continued to make progress on a number of goals related to the board’s Strategic Plan. Specifically, milestones were reached with respect to the System’s core curriculum, teacher quality, academic advising, retention and graduation rates, distance learning, meeting the state’s need for health professions graduates, STEM education, system efficiencies through Shared Services, leadership development, and energy management.